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Topic: Iostar to measure starch? (Read 4251 times)

Does anyone know if iostar has enough free iodine in it to be used as a test for starch left over in a mash? And, if I find there is still starch in the mash after an hour, check the pH and temp and then let it just keep on going til the starch is gone?

I tried using idophor for a starch test, couldn't tell if it was changing or not. But I do know that when I dump strongish idophor down the sink I can see blue stains where starch is adhering to the SS of the sink so it should work in theory.

but +1 to not really needed unless you have concern about incomplete conversion in which case it might be worth while going to the drug store and getting some actuall iodine stuff.

Obviously if you're going to do them you should know how to do them correctly. Unfortunately I've seen far too may people who don't know how. And troubleshooting a problem is about the only use I can see for it. As a regular procedure it just seems pointless.

I can't speak for Kai. My own experience is that it saved me on a beer with lots of Vienna and Dark Munich as all the base malts. Should have converted after an hour, was starting to clear, but it failed the test - quickly. Let the beer go 30 minutes longer at a higher temp, passed. The beer did very very well in competitions.

I have no problems doing an Iodine test. Just ask the wife to do it.

Kai,

What types of conversion issues have you seen? Are some more common than others?

Dave

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Jeff RankertAnn Arbor Brewers GuildAHA Governing Committee BJCP NationalHome-brewing, not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle!